“It will be alright,” she whispers, and they move inside the closest canvas structure to try to find an empty space to claim.
Her name was Elizabeth. Seven days later as she wraps the woman’s dead body in a sheet, Summer steals her papers from her pocket. She will need them to get off the island. “I hope you can forgive me, Elizabeth. I will make sure your parents know where you are,” she promises softly as she pulls the sheet over her head.
Seven days is the incubation time, and Summer has been quarantined long enough. When asked for her papers, she hands them Elizabeth's. She knows Dr. Alberto Hast will never let her live if he knows she survived. He is working too hard to make a name for himself, and she is the only one who knows the truth. Terror is her constant companion, but on day seven, when those who are cleared to leave, gather outside, she holds her breath and makes her way onto the ferry that will take her to Boston.
With her true papers tucked safely in her boot, Summer inhales the fresh salty air and waits for her freedom. She had planned this for days. Jung did not know about the family they would be meeting with, or about the housing her father had arranged for them. After asking around, she looks up the couple's address and takes a carriage to their house.
A servant opens the door and looks Summer up and down with a sneer of disgust. “Can I help you?” Summer can only imagine what she looks, and smells like by now.
“Hello, I am Lady Summer Denning, here to see Mr. and Mrs. Fenton.”
“Wait here, please,” the young girl backs up and hurries from the doorway.
Summer stands shivering from exhaustion in the grand entry, and she can hear voices raised inside. The girl returns and will not look her in the eye. “I’m sorry, but we can’t help you, Miss Denning. The master said to give you this,” she shoves a paper towards her and backs away. “It is the address of the brownstone your family rented. You will be allowed to stay for two days. Then the lease is up. Our wagon is being brought around, the driver will drop you off.”
“I don't understand, my father said they would help me?” On the paper is an address an envelope with some money.
The girl looks guilty and shuffles her feet. “Thank you for coming, good day.” She backs through the door quickly and closes it firmly in her face. Shock flickers through her body, what now? The carriage pulls up, and Summer rushes into it and glances back at the house as they pull away.
In the window of the house, she sees the curtains move, and she knows they are home. The ride through town doesn't take long. The driver steps down and helps Summer from the carriage handing her a bag.
“What’s this?” she asks, looking at the young man.
“The maid’s name is Molly, she asked me to give it to you. Your key is inside. She also said to tell you that work can be found in the workhouse in town. Though it is not the place for a gentle lady like yourself.” He frowns at her in thought, “Sometimes they list jobs at the post office for private homes, you know maids and such. Try that first.”
“Thank you. Please tell Molly that I'm thankful for her kindness.”
He bows and rides away as she digs for her key and enters her sanctuary. Devastated, scared, alone, and betrayed she walks through the darkened halls that would have been their new home and finds she has no tears left. The brownstone would have been filled with the sound of laughter and love, now it rings hollow with sadness.
She does not bother to turn on lights, but simply makes her way upstairs clutching her bags and chooses the room with a private bath. Steam fills the room as she begins to bathe in the large tub. It has been weeks since she has felt clean. With a bar of soap, she finds in the bathroom, she scrubs her skin until it burns, trying to wash away the scent of death that lingers in her soul.
After scrubbing herself clean, she's shocked to find a dress inside the bag from the maid. A small smile flickers from her lips. Summer scrubs her undergarments in hot, clean water and hangs them to dry in the bathroom. She pulls on the dress before curling up on the bed and sleeping. Later she will figure out what to do, but for now, she will give her body the rest that it needs.
Chapter 10
The whimpers and wails of the sick haunt Summer’s dreams. With her help, a sick ward had been set up for the children. Her time was the only thing she had to give, so she read to the children from her book. She gave it to one little girl, who had fought through the fever and was recovering.
‘Summer, can you see it?’ Hayley’s voice calls to her.
‘See what, dove?’ Summer asks.
‘The mermaid!’ Hayley leans over the railing, and it crumbles beneath her. Summer screams and dives for her hand, but she is too late.
She jerks awake screaming for Hayley.
“Oh, God.” Summer groans and rocks herself willing the nightmare away.
The sun is just beginning to break across the sky when she pads to the kitchen downstairs. It was stocked with the basics, and she is thrilled to find coffee. The simple act of
